Letters to The Editor: Journalistic baptism of fire

Letters to The Editor: Journalistic baptism of fire

Dear Editor,

I read your column (Notebook, Sept. 1-15, 2004) where you decried the apathy of the Filipino community media towards the issue of Jeffrey Reodica’s death, adding that they were instead in full force at Imelda’s documentary showing.

First of all, I suspect that the Filipino community media are a little wary to tackle sensitive and risky issues like police brutality. They obviously are not cut in the mold of Ruben Cusipag, Hermie Garcia and Mila Astorga Garcia. They don’t seem to know what real journalism is – to write the truth even when it means risking your life.

My journalistic baptism of fire happened around 30 years ago. Since then I never hold back as long as I know I am writing the truth. I was a journalism student when student unrest gripped Metro Manila in the early ‘70’s. As the city editor of the Varsitarian, the student newspaper of the University of Santo Tomas I had to go myself to cover the demonstrations turned riots in the UST campus because my reporters were too scared to do it. In my desire to get close to the action, I dodged flying bottles, chairs, spark plugs, and what have you at the Architecture building as the UST security was trying to apprehend the rioters barricaded on the second floor. Too bad I was ordered to leave when the Metrocom came and took care of the situation.

I remembered confronting a Military Police Officer at Fort Bonifacio just a few weeks into Martial Law. My journalism class went to see an exhibit of General Emilio Aguinaldo at the Fort. While examining Aguinaldo’s sword on display, I heard a belligerent shout from behind me. “Hoy! Hoy!” I noticed that my classmates on my left had moved away, and so had my classmates on my right, leaving me alone still pretending to examine the sword.

Finally a strong hand held my left shoulder and sharply turned me around. “Hoy, ikaw, pag tinawag ka, sumagot ka ha!” the MP said pointing his finger just inches from my face. Until now I still don’t know why fear never crossed my mind that day. I faced him squarely and fixed my eyes on his while I answered him in a calm but firm voice. “Narinig ko ang sigaw mo, pero, sa pandinig ko ang tinawag mo ay aso, hindi naman ako aso, bakit ako sasagot sa iyo?

”He was completely taken aback by my answer. My classmates held their collective breath as the MP turned red like a lobster in a frying pan. “At bakit mo pala ako tinawag?” I continued. “Yung taong yun na naka blue shirt, officer ko yun, nasagi mo siya.” he said his voice not as sharp as before. “E ano kong nasagi ko siya? Hindi ko naman sinadya, at malay kong officer pala siya, hindi naman siya naka uniform.”

And without giving him another chance I continued: “At kayong mga militar ay wala kayong karapatang mangabuso sa aming mga civilian dahil sabi ni Presidente Marcos sa TV nuong isang araw ay kahit na Martial Law ngayon, kaming mga civilian ay mataas pa rin sa militar, hindi ba mga kasama?” My classmates shouted in unison: “Oo nga, sabi ni Marcos sa TV yan.” Seeing he could not win, the MP just scratched his head as he turned away.

In the bus as we returned to UST my classmates swarmed me as if I hit the winning home run on the seventh game of the World Series.

Manny Bade

What people say about us

We just visited your Philippine Reporter website, and we must say we found it impressive in its overall professional treatment of the information, and the quality of the website design.

Our congratulations for a truly professional job. Your website is highly informative, provides interesting stories and superior quality photos.

The quality of this website reflects your commitment to providing a newspaper of unparalleled importance to the Filipino community in Toronto.

More power to you!

Armand & Melinda Rustia
Publishers, iFilipino Magazine

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I just wanted to express my admiration in your coverage of The Jeffrey Reodica’s episode. It has not only awakened the Filipino community to unite but has been a bracing force in educating us how to protect our young teens in times of cruelty and callousness of arrogant entity.
More of His richest blessings.

Roger Asuncion

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True to its name The Philippine Reporter reports in timely and effective fashion those that are closest to the concerns of the Filipino-Canadian community. Your paper deserves its place . . .closest to the heart of the Indio.

Paul F. de la Cruz
President,
Philippine Press Club-Ontario

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I came across the website of The Philippine Reporter tonight. It’s full of news and information which will serve as the guiding post for Filipinos here in Toronto and other parts of Ontario.
It’s dignified , educational, informative and prestigious.

Kindly continue your good work in the field of journalism.

Thanks and regards.
Jojo Taduran